“Is there anything science should not try to explain? Science is knowledge and knowledge is power; power to do good or evil. Sometimes ignorance is bliss” (Davies). These words shared by theoretical physicist Paul Davies ring solid throughout the haunting story of “Frankenstein,” by Mary Shelly. Seen by many as the “Modern Prometheus,” this story details the exploits of the fictional scientist Victor Frankenstein, with his humble beginnings as a curious learner, his obsessive thirst for the unattainable, and the unspeakable creation that ultimately lead to his downfall. But what was it that lead to Victor’s tragic mistake? Was it his off-putting father who demeaned him for reading books by men like Cornelius Agrippa, involuntarily pushing
…show more content…
When talking to Captain Walton about why he was found out near the North Pole, Victor’s first reaction towards talk about the desire of knowledge is understandable, as what he had experienced ruined his life and everything in it. Captain Walton, talking about his voyage of discovery to the North Pole, and how “with all the favor that warmed me, how gladly I would sacrifice my fortune, my existence, my every hope, to the furtherance of my enterprise. One man’s life or death were but a small price to pay for the acquirement of the knowledge which I sought” (110). This statement shows Walton’s pursuit of knowledge, and similarities can be seen between Walton’s enthusiasm and the enthusiasm of the young Victor when he was still in college, and even before then; talking later about his early studies, Victor mentions how he “was engaged, heart in soul, in the pursuit of some discoveries which I hoped to make. None but those who have experienced them can conceive of the enticements of science” (108). When he hears Walton’s goals, however, Victor replies, “Unhappy man! Do you share my madness? Have you drunk also of the intoxicating draught?” (110). He is referring to this pursuit of knowledge, and in his response the reader can clearly detect his hatred of that pursuit and “madness.” This is emphasized when Victor compares himself to Walton, saying “You seek for knowledge and …show more content…
In his “The Moral Character of Mad Scientists” essay, Christopher Toumey explains the idea of what Victor is as a character, saying that “This is the general moral strategy of the mad scientist story: to describe an evil that wears the face of science and then to show how to combat it (Toumey 412). It’s clear that Victor falls into this idea, being blinded by his desires at such a young age. “Frankenstein’s” warnings against science are clear; to serve as a cautionary story about the dangers of science. But having that kind of mindset would really be ignoring what we can achieve with it. As Northam mentions, “no reasonable person can condone the idea of turning our backs on the vast potential of genetic research [like] effective treatments or cures for illnesses such as genetically implicated cancers”
When talking to Captain Walton about why he was found out near the North Pole, Victor’s first reaction towards talk about the desire of knowledge is understandable, as what he had experienced ruined his life and everything in it. Captain Walton, talking about his voyage of discovery to the North Pole, and how “with all the favor that warmed me, how gladly I would sacrifice my fortune, my existence, my every hope, to the furtherance of my enterprise. One man’s life or death were but a small price to pay for the acquirement of the knowledge which I sought” (110). This statement shows Walton’s pursuit of knowledge, and similarities can be seen between Walton’s enthusiasm and the enthusiasm of the young Victor when he was still in college, and even before then; talking later about his early studies, Victor mentions how he “was engaged, heart in soul, in the pursuit of some discoveries which I hoped to make. None but those who have experienced them can conceive of the enticements of science” (108). When he hears Walton’s goals, however, Victor replies, “Unhappy man! Do you share my madness? Have you drunk also of the intoxicating draught?” (110). He is referring to this pursuit of knowledge, and in his response the reader can clearly detect his hatred of that pursuit and “madness.” This is emphasized when Victor compares himself to Walton, saying “You seek for knowledge and …show more content…
In his “The Moral Character of Mad Scientists” essay, Christopher Toumey explains the idea of what Victor is as a character, saying that “This is the general moral strategy of the mad scientist story: to describe an evil that wears the face of science and then to show how to combat it (Toumey 412). It’s clear that Victor falls into this idea, being blinded by his desires at such a young age. “Frankenstein’s” warnings against science are clear; to serve as a cautionary story about the dangers of science. But having that kind of mindset would really be ignoring what we can achieve with it. As Northam mentions, “no reasonable person can condone the idea of turning our backs on the vast potential of genetic research [like] effective treatments or cures for illnesses such as genetically implicated cancers”